Chicago Tribune Music Editor Challenges Christian Artists

It is really easy to take shots at Christian art. Often it is deserving, but I want to be careful not to do that until I’m sure that I’m doing a better job at creating art than those I’m targeting.  Make sense? 

Having said that - Lou Carlozo (see photo), a Music Editor for the Chicago Tribune was the guest blogger on Culture Watch and he puts out a real challenge to all Christian artists and in the process takes some shots.  Here is what he said:

It's an outrage to me that so much "Christian" art is in fact artistically inferior crap. Why? First and foremost, I don't think my Savior, the love of my life, would want His holy name spackled onto something so ham-fisted as most "Christian" music. Talk about violating the commandment of taking the Lord's name in vain! Jesus as the marketing equivalent of Adidas. A brand name.

On a more personal note, I receive entreaties from Christian music publicists at least several times a month urging me to cover their artist because, it is implied, I am "on the team." And I've had pieces spiked in leading "Christian" music magazines because I was presumptuous enough to slam an album as being mechanical, wooden, and backward thinking.

UNTIL CHRISTIAN MUSIC STRESSES ART OVER AGENDA, IT CAN NEVER BE ANYTHING BUT SECOND RATE (my emphasis). As a music editor at the Chicago Tribune, I have a responsibility to turn my readers on to the best art out there. And as a Christian, I have an obligation to tell the truth at all costs, as I see it. If it's bad, awkward, mawkish art that Nashville keeps shipping to me like so many day-glo W.W.J.D. bracelets, what choice do I have? I would rather be the voice of one crying out in the wilderness than win the approval of any cabal that is convinced--for all the wrong reasons--that the majority of "Christian" music serves a noble purpose.

Michelangelo makes us cry by depicting the finger-touch of creation in a majestic image. Johnny Cash could break your heart by revealing the serrated edges of his brokenness. Bono makes you wrestle and challenges all assumptions that God is of the right or left wing. None of this is a "business model" to be emulated. These are ways of approaching art and life we are talking about, meant to be done with all the fear and trembling of someone trying to point the way to a higher truth while walking a narrow path.

Why does the Christian music industry so thoroughly believe that the way to do this is to TELL/LECTURE people? Maybe it has something to to with the mammon of income streams and mansion-house dreams.

For me, the true Christian artists worth emulating--including Emmylou Harris, Over the Rhine, Buddy and Judy Miller, Kate Campbell, Pedro the Lion and a Nashville rebel like Rich Mullins--they walk the walk. They SHOW us. Art before agenda. Beauty before the bully pulpit. My Lord, what a radical concept.

What do you think?  What are some of the best examples of stressing “art over agenda” that are making an impact?  Who are the Christian artists worth emulating?

Comments

[Ryan]

Hey Dave,

Thanks for posting this article. I am a Christain artist and I strongly agree with Lou's comments. Thankfully their are some Christian artists who are doing a great job:
Derek Webb
Sandra McKracken
David Crowder Band
Charlie Hall

That's just a few. I think one of the awesome things is that some of the most talented christian artists are the one's writing corporate worship music for the church.

Just my opinion. Thanks for you blog

-ryan

[Pat A]

Dave,

I am glad Lou included Rich Mullins in his list. For years our family went to Rich's concerts (I am listening to him right now at work) and always came away inspired and feeling closer to God. The only artist I listen to today that manages to match his talent is Chris Tomlin. Chris is not only a great artist but is not in it for the glory but to glorify God.

[kent]

He absolutely nailed. When art of any form is forced to serve an agenda rather than flowing from the heart and soul of the person it will always come our false. It just does not ring true.

[Rich Kirkpatrick]

Thanks Dave!

I do fear that we create a "Christian Ghetto" when it comes to art in particular. Just look at the Left Behind movies! So, I agree with the Tribune writer in that Christians get away with poor art because we rely on our great message. It should be that such a great message deserve great art.

A lesson is in here somewhere for us. I am a musician, by the way. I think churches and church leadership in the evangelical circles are very poor at discipling and cultivating artists. We do not value art. What a shame when it is the language of our culture. I would say that every pastor should have an art appreciation and music appreciation course in seminary.

[Chris Marsden]

Steve Taylor is one of the best song writers in Christian Music (which is funny because that is what he said about Rich Mullins at the end of the Homeless Man Video). I have always appreciated his honesty and insanity. Several years ago, he wrote a very similar piece talking smack at an industry he was a part of. To give him credit, though, he maintained his record deal with a secular label (sony I think) when all the "christian" artists were bailing to the newly form Christian Labels. He was a Christian artist, musician, songwriter, and now producer and filmaker who maintained quality and artistry over bottom line. Of course he was also misunderstood and ignored by much of the Church, so maybe he shouldn't be emulated (oh wait...Jesus was misunderstood, ignored, then killed by the established church so maybe we should look to that model).

[Randy Furco]

Hmmm...

I would say first that, there are many,many,many...blessed christian musicians and singers.

And if the "agenda" the Tribune guy is talking about, is preaching the Gospel and Glorifying Christ through song and music, then any christian artist worth the label, will gladly be called second rate by Lou Carlozo.

Another thing Lou wouldn't know the anointing if it dropped on his head...lol..so of course he wouldn't like most christian music.....I bet ya he loves many ungodly and carnal bands though that have sexual and sinful lyrics...cause that is real art..yeh..right.

Anywho....sorry for the rant..don't usually do that..

What christian artist should one emulate?

Anyone that is called and anointed, and gives Jesus the glory through their heartfelt passion...

[Jessie]

Bravo for taking a stand that a Christian label does not automatically make any song, book, or artistic expression of any kind edifying, God-glorifying, or even Biblically sound. Yet, those of us who do not review art for a living need to be careful that we don't let an eye and an appreciation for good art turn into intellectual snobbery. I've seen young Christians, excited about pop Christian music stations or cheesy Christian cards, receive condescending looks from "mature" Christians who are somehow "above" overused rhythms and tired lyrics. We need to be careful; not everyone enjoys a good debate. A lot of people would just like to enjoy what they enjoy without the smug looks from others. Promote good art. The church needs to promote good Christian art, even if it is unconventional. Let's be unconventional. But, as children who are secure in our places in the body of believers, we must not use high art as a dividing line between the cool and the uncool, the mature and the weak, the wise and the fools.

[Carter M.]

Wow, strong words, but very well said. As a fellow music reviewer (for multiple publications), I'd have to say that for the most part I agree.
The artists that "cross-over" (and used to then be shunned by Christians, but to their credit that is happening less often) are able to do so because they such quality music, that people can't help but listen (and thus get the God-honoring lyrics along with it). Examples of this?
*Switchfoot
*Sixpence None the Richer
*P.O.D.

So it is possible!

[perry]

Just a quick question for fellow blogger Randy Furco. What criterion (of course christian based)would you suggest one use to decipher whether someone has "the annointing" , is "called", and is "blessed" as a christian musician and singer? O.K., one more question; are you really "sorry" for your rant?

[Randy Furco]

Well when someone or somebody is anointed, they just have the presence of God on whatever they do.

There gifting reverberates in your spirit.

Also if they are bringing glory to Jesus Christ, with passion and excellence in their gifting, that is all that really matters.

After all it is all about givng Him glory, isn't it?

As far as the second question.

I am sorry now, because it obviously bothered you, sorry.

[Ben]

Interesting article and debate. The problem I have is this: Isn't good art all just a matter of opinion anyway?

I guess I would like to know how one judges whether a "Christian" song is good or bad. In his view it sounds like anything that doesn't outright say "Jesus Loves Me" is an acceptable art. And if that's the way he prefers his music that's fine. I like U2 and many of the artists he says are great authors of "christian" music, but really not everyone has that same opinion.

Yeah, I can't stand certain kinds of music, but to say something is not worth anyone emulating because you don't like it is borderline snobbery in my opinion. And that's the attitude that drives me nuts about us artists! Folks who make it to a level of success where their recordings are making it to Lou Corlozo's desk for review must be doing SOMETHING that SOMEONE is enjoying. I'm a musician too by the way.

[francie]

One authentic Christian artist that I appreciate more than any other is Michael Card. His music, his words and his life are in sync and leave me with my mind a little bigger for listening to God.

[ScW]

Good grief! Yes, I hate it when I hear Christian artists trying emulate secular artists. But as others have pointed out, there are plenty of folks that are now innovators rather than followers. To duplicate some entries and add a few: Six Pence..., Thousand Foot Krutch, Superchick, Switchfoot, Toby Mac, and many others are getting secular air-time. They are creating music/art that is as good or better than anything outside of Christian music.

But even as long ago as 1992 when I sold nearly every CD I owned, and started buying Christian music exclusivly, I never felt like I was settling for art that was vastly inferior. And yes, now I listen to a little of everything, but I am constantly encouraged by the quality, thought, and artistry that continues to emerge in Christian music.

When a friend asked me just after I had committed to listening to Christian music if I missed the "real music". My answer now would be even more enthusiastic than it was then but the words would essentially be same "I was missing out, by NOT listening to Christian music."

Certainly, there is still room for improvement. But man, I can't imagine not having it.

[dylan higgins]

As a musician and volunteer here at CCC for the last dozen or so years, what I have heard talked about should be discussed in the light of a couple of different perspectives:
1. Music that reaches outside the church body, or to the "unsaved" or "unchurched"
2. Music used to bring us closer to God in a praise/worship situation.
Now sometimes this happens at the same time. But I believe you're really presenting two different types of artistry to two different groups of people, and although artistry is important in both forms of music, I think we have to be careful not to mistake great musicianship with what folks call the "anointing" of God within a particular artistic moment...
To me the "anointing" of God is simply His presence being felt when we sing or play to Him..when we do this we're magnifying His presence in our place of worship, which hopefully enables people to communicate to Him...and frankly without His presence be it planned or impromptu all the fancy schmancy stuff is'nt worth anything to anyone..it gets forgotten in an instant...
In this setting you could have a guitar, and a vocal, and as long you're focusing on God (and again a little artistry is important..if you're a show off you're distracting us from God, if you stink you're again distracting us from God...)
Lou Carluzo is worried how Christ is being presented to the world via the "christian" music market, and I agree with much of what he said...the motives, and a lot of the artistic results are pretty questionable..
but then again about 80 percent of what I hear in both christian and secular markets is pretty bad, there's only about 20% of anything that' probably worth playing or singing and the rest should be burned...or will be burned...
My biggest concern especially at our place of worship is that we present God's will and word for our lives in a clear, straighfoward way that anyone can understand. If we need tgo play a Credence Clearwater Revival tune, or a Creed tune to do that fine.
If you need to bring God into close focus though, simple is sometimes best...
Dylan Higgins

[Randy Furco]

I apolagize for my remarks about Mr. Carlozo.

No, excuses, I was very, very wrong, and was too quick to speak.

I made wrong assumptions, and did not edify.

Forgive me.

[AKK]

I don't know if I agree with Mr. Carlozo or not. There are Christian artists that speak to my heart like Fernando Ortega and Bebo Norman. If musically they are not doing anything great or original, does it really matter? They help me remember who I am and who I worship and that's ok with me. And finally, if an artist is inspired to praise God through their music are they supposed to follow their inspiration or worry about a reviewer thinks?

[Cole]

"For me, the true Christian artists worth emulating--including Emmylou Harris, Over the Rhine, Buddy and Judy Miller..."

Ummm, it's Julie Miller. Check out www.buddyandjulie.com
Glad he knows his "Christian art."

[Steve]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Kirk Franklin, Israel Haughton and Martha Munizzi here. Great artists that could do music anywhere. Other groups - Mute Math, The Almost, Underoath as well as some lesser know hip-hop artists like Theory Hazit, Cash Hollistah, The Czar to name a few.

[Steve]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Kirk Franklin, Israel Haughton and Martha Munizzi here. Great artists that could do music anywhere. Other groups - Mute Math, The Almost, Underoath as well as some lesser know hip-hop artists like Theory Hazit, Cash Hollistah, The Czar to name a few.

[Susan]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Susan

http://disturbialyrics.net